Jabez robins



f UNITED STATESPATENTOFFICE.

JABE Resins, oE RoSToN, MiasSAoiasETTs, AAssiefNoR Toi. R. MoRSE, 0E LEoMiN- STER, MASSACHUSETTS.

. MACHIEEER SrtITTIivG HORN AND SHELL.

To all whom t may concern.' Y j Be it known that I, JABEZ RoiNs, a subject of Great Britain, having resided in the United States the year next preceding and taken oath of intention to become a citizen thereof, of Boston, inthe county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new or Improved Machine for Splitting Horn or Tortoise-Shell for the Manufacture of Combs; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification and accompanying drawings, letters, `gures, and references thereof. i

Of the said drawings, Figure 1, denotes a top view; Fig. 2, a `side elevation, and Fig. 3, a vertical, central, and longitudinal section of my said machine. Fig. 4, isa central, vertical, and transverse `section of it.

In the drawings A, representsa cylindrical drum or wheel made of metalfior other proper material, and having its periphery roughened or made with points` so as to be capable of adhesion to a piece` of horn or shell when laid upon it, and carried around by its revolution on its axis. The said rum is supported by a framefB, and has the journals of its `shaft inserted in suitable boxes a, b. Beneath the drum, andl so` that the drum shall dip into it is a trough C, under which isa furnace D, so placed as to be capable of heating water, or any other liquid which may be introduced into the trough. The fuel for the furnace may be put into it through a doorway c, and the smoke discharged through a suitable outlet d, made at the other end of it.

tangentially to, and somewhat above the i upper surface of the drum A, as seen in i Figs. 1, and 3, and to a frame E, raised upon the top ofthe mainframe, in .the position as seen in the drawings, a thin plate or strip of metal G, is hinged `at one end, and

made to extend to and lay upon or over the periphery of the wheel, and nearly up to the splitting knife, as seen 1n Fig. 3. i j

To the top of the frame E, is also hlnged a long spring lever H, to whose under surface a series of blocks f, g, fai, c, is attached the said blocks being curved on their lower faces, so as to rest against, and bear upon the curved upper surface of the strip G. The said lever H, is forked or split into two or more parts Z, m, as seen in 1, a welght i u, being hung to the outer extremity of each of `thesame, as seen" in Figs. 1, 2,and 3.

The lever H, as well as the strip G, are so hinged to the frame A as to be capable of moving in directions either toward or away from the curved upper surface of the drum. Flanches 0, p, are applied to and made to extend above the outer edges of the periphery of the drum; the strip G, and the bearers or blocks, f, g, L, i, 7c, being placed between such flanches, and kept in place by them, while the machine is in operation. These flanches also serve to keep the sheet of horn or shell `in place on the drum. i

In operating with my machine the trough or cistern is first supplied with water, `which on being heated to the boiling state or thereabout, by fire made in the furnace, will convey heat to the drum A. This drum is next put 1n revolution by` any suitable means or `power and in a direction toward the cutting edge of the splitting knife. The piece of horn or shell to be split is `next placed in a moistened or softened state" upon the curved surface of the drum, and just below the strip` G, and so that the roughened surface of the` drum `will adhere to, and carry the piece of horn or shell around between it and the thin strip of metal G, and against the cutting edge of the knife, so as to cause the said piece to be split, or to have its surplus material removed by the said knife, the latter passingover the knife, while the other part passes underneath it, 4

By having the bed on which the shell rests, and by which it is moved against the i knife, to revolve in hot water inthe manner A splitting knife E, is arranged about` as specified, its temperature can readily be j By making the lever H, a sti elastic i Spring, and in two or more parts, .it causes all the blocks attached to it, to bear with a proper degree or degrees of pressure upon the strip Gr, however irregular may be the thickness of a sheet of horn or shell, While being moved under the said strip. It also binds the shell close down against the Wheel or drum, and in close proximity With the edge of the knife.

What I claim as my invention or improvement, is-

The cylindrical rotary bed or drum A, in combination With the Water cistern or trough, and its furnace, and machinery over the drum for bearing the shell or material down upon it, during its revolution as specified; the said drum being provided with a roughened or friction curved surface, such as Will adhere to the shell, and cause it to move with it, and against the knife as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my signature, this thirteenth day of Februay A. D. 1851.

' JABEZ ROBINS. Witnesses:

BENJAMIN EDDY, R. I-I. EDDY. 

